The plow before the oxen?
When the Rive Gauche project materialized in Charleroi, the city center has accelerated its pedestrianization. The surroundings were partially prohibited from the cars, and the green square, just opposite the shopping center, was fitted out to accommodate pedestrians. But it seems that the city was a little quickly in work. This is in any case what Thomas Dermine recognizes, who presented a new mobility plan for the city center a few weeks ago. With, in particular, on the program, a reopening of certain streets to cars, and the creation of more than 600 new parking spaces by 2029. It is also provided for an extension of the free of certain parking lots.
We could see a return of the car in downtown Charleroi. And a reverse in the pedestrianization process which took place in agreement with the Rive Gauche project.
In Charleroi, the possible questioning of pedestrian areas divides
Thomas Dermine denies it. “This is not a return plan of the car in Charleroihe explains. I want things to be clear. “ And the bourgmestre to add: “We just want to test parking and road changes to see if it soothes mobility and strengthens the attractiveness of the city center. “
With this project, the bourgmestre wants to counter “A commercial exodus in peripheral zonings” and strengthen “The attractiveness of the city center for citizens “. The problem, in short, is that these 7 million visitors per year who go to the left bank do not explore the city center. They are limited to the shopping center. Those who go to town 2, the other shopping center at the gates of Charleroi, do not enter the center of Charleroi more. “”We also decided to open a series of new parking lots around the little Ring of Charleroi. It is a way for us to not only allow the car to get closer to the center, but also to clean, secure and light up somewhat malfamous places. Like the parking lot below the Ring bridge near the Helios swimming pool. “
“For us, it’s important not to recreate a flow of cars around left bank because we would like people to go out and invest the city”continues Thomas Dermine. Insisting in particular on the need to redevelop attractions, trade and leisure so that visitors on the left bank leave it. “”Without effective public transport alternative, we must recognize that the car remains the best way to go to the doors of the city center. The risk of not adapting today is that no one comes to the lower city “, completes the bourgmestre.
Charleroi does not back in terms of mobility according to Thomas Dermine
Participatory process
The bourgmestre also wants to bet on the participation of Carolos. “”We are going to draw citizens from lots so that they can contribute to reflection “, still describes the socialist politician. Residents will therefore have to give their opinion on the future of downtown Carolo competed by the surrounding shopping centers. The panel will be wide, because the different generations do not see the pedestrianization of Charleroi with the same eye. “”Young people find unimaginable to continue using the car in the city center, and those over 55 are quite nostalgic for the car “, he still describes, referring to a survey carried out by the city upstream of its project.
To measure the success of his project, the bourgmestre wants to be based on measures established for a year. “”Taking into account police reports, user and surveys flow counts addressed to the inhabitants. We are also evaluating the possibility of placing sensors to estimate improvements in air quality “, complete Thomas Dermine. A measure that will perhaps make it possible to avoid redoing the same mistakes as at the launch of the left bank.
